Road crashes hit 496 – DOH

MANILA, Philippines — Close to 500 road traffic accidents have been recorded by the Department of Health.

The DOH logged 496 road crashes from eight pilot sites from Dec. 22 to 31.

Of the number, 39 road accidents were recorded yesterday.

The DOH said the number is 33 percent higher than the road accidents logged during the same period last year.

Six motorcycle riders died in road crashes, the department said.

Based on DOH data, 83 of the victims of accidents were drunk, 427 did not use helmet and 356 used motorcycles.

The DOH again reminded motorists not to drive when tired or drunk.

The monitoring of road accidents is being done under the DOH’s “BiyaHealthy” program for a safe holiday celebration.